Innerspring mattress



Nov. 29, 1955 M. RoGovY 2,724,842

INNERSPRING MATTRESS ATTORNEY Nov. 29, 1955 M. RoGovY 2,724,842

INNERSPRING MATTRESS Filed March 12, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3 2

J .A BY Kw ATTORNEY FIG. 5

United States Patent O INNERSPRING MATTRESS Max Rogovy, Akron, Ohio Application March 12, 1952, Serial No. 276,124

17 Claims. (Cl. 5 248) This invention relates to new springmeans, particularly as adapted. to use in an innerspring mattress, a box spring, springs in seats for autos, Pullman cars, and the like, and in other furniture. It includes a mattress. of double width with independently adjustable spring means on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of the mattress, so that the hardness of the two halves may be independently adjusted.

The invention will be more particularly described as applied to an innerspring mattress. rthe conventional coil springs in such a mattress may be relatively stiff or relatively soft, so as to give a mattress which is more or less hard. However, it is impossible to adjust the hardness of such a mattress, from time to time, as desired.. More particularly, it is impossible to make the opposite halves of such a mattress of different hardness. Although the invention is designed particularly for the independent adjustment of the hardness of opposite halves of a mattress, it is adaptable to use in a single-width mattress to adjust the hardness thereof from one edge to the. other, as may be found desirable in hotels, etc., where a bed is occupied by transients. Other uses for the adjustable spring will be evident asthe description proceeds.

Accordingzto this invention the hardnessof a mattress, etc. is made adjustable-by includingauxiliary spring means. therein. Thisauxiliary springrneansis supported by the conventional coil springs and: is provided with means for adjusting its hardnesswhich is. preferably a crank with which. upper and lower portions of the auxiliary springv meansare connected.. By turningv the crank the hardness of. the upper surface of the mattress is adjustedand as the-upper surface ishardened the lower surface isv correspondingly softened, andvice versa. The auxiliary spring means is usually located only in the central portion of the length of themattress,A away from the head and the foot, where the nature of the. support rendered is. not as importantas in the central portion where the auxiliary spring means islocated.

In the preferred form ofthe invention the. auxiliary springs are equal in number to the conventional springs in the area which isto bemade of adjustablezhardness. The auxiliary springs are preferably located within or around the. conventional-springs, with. their axes concentric.

Although there is usually one auxiliary spring for each conventional spring, the ratio of the auxiliary springs to the.conventional springs may be varied. For instance, there may be one auxiliary spring. to each two conventional springs, or alternatively, there may be two auxiliary springs to each conventional spring.

The auxiliary springs are preferably supported by cranks which extend from one side to the other of a supporting frame; Thisy frame may extend from one edge of the mattress or other furniture spring unit, etc. to the other, or if in avmattress which is to be used by two persons there are usuallytwo frames so that each. framef extends from the longitudinal centerline of thefmattress to one of vits edges'. All of the cranks in eachframeA are con- ICC nected so that they turn simultaneously, and all are parallel to one another. When one is up, all are up, and all are moved together.

Outer coils of the auxiliary springs, near the ends thereof, are tied to the crank, so thatv by turning the crank the portion of the auxiliary spring on either side of the crank may be brought to it. Thus the top or bottom portion of the auxiliary spring may be drawn toward the center of the mattress, and the hardness of the mattress thereby adjusted because the hardness of such a mattress depends v primarily upon the distance of the upper end of the auxiliary spring from the upper surface of the mattress. However, in a reversible mattress it is necessary to make both the top and bottom portions of the auxiliary springs adjustable with respect to the respective surface of the mattress.y Means is provided for turning all cranks simultaneously.

The invention will be further describedl in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a plan view of an innerspring mattress with the cover removed;

Fig. 2 is a section through one of the spring units on the line 2 2 of Fig. l on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a section of the same spring unit but with the crank almost horizontal instead of raised, as in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a detail showin-g a detail of the knob for turning the cranks;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7 7 of Fig. l, slightly enlarged; and

Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of one of the cranks,'on an enlarged scale.v

In Fig. l an innerspring mattress is shown with the cover removed.v The .location of the cover is indicated by the dot-dash line 1.. This cover may be of any usual type, and may be provided with a Zipper, etc. as desired. The mattress is formed with the usual relatively stifr wire frame 2 around. the top. There is a similar wire frame (not shown) around ythe bottom. The coil springs 3 are of the usualtype except that instead of having the diameter of the coil reduced at the center of the spring, the diameter is uniform from the top to the bottom, in order to more readily accommodate the auxiliary springs 5 which are of smaller diameter. For instance, the springs 3 may be six inches in diameter andv the springs 5 may be four or ve inches in diameter.

The purpose of the springs Sis to supplement the support given by the springs 3. If the springs 3 are stiff, the springs S may be of the same stiffness, but ordinarily the springs 3 will be relatively soft and the auxiliary springs 5 will be very appreciably stiffer.

The springs 5 are supported on crank shafts 6 which are supported laterally across the two frames 7. These frames arelocated in opposite halves of the mattress and the hardness of the opposite sides of the mattress is therefore independently adjustable. The frames do not extend to the head of the mattress, and the springs 1l) in the single row at the top of the mattress are not provided with auxiliary springs. Similarly, the springs in the three rows 11 at the foot of the mattress are not provided with auxiliary springs. Usually the hardness of the portions of the mattress which support the head and feet of a person is not too important'. The number of rows of springs at the head and foot in which there are no auxiliary springs may be varied as desired. All of the springsmay be provided with auxiliary springs if this is for any reason desirable.

Each frame 7 is ordinarily not more than an inch or two high. It is preferably made of a light-weight metal, such as aluminum. The opposite ends of each of the crank shafts 6 are supported in this frame. There is a sprocket at the outer end of each shaft, adjacent the wall of the frame. The sprockets may be held to the shafts by setscrews 16 or\in any other suitable manner. The crank shafts willbe fastened in the frame in any suitable manner and the sprockets will preferably be spaced a slight distance from the frame by washers 17 or the like.

One of the crank shafts extends through the outer Wall of the frame and the knob 20 is fastened to this extending portion of the shaft by means of the setscrew 21. The periphery of the knob is provided with slots 22, and the ratchet 23 pivoted to the frame at 24 is adapted to be moved in and out of each of these slots. All of the cranks 25 on all of the shafts in a single frame are positioned at the same angle, and by lifting the ratchet 23 and turning the knob 20 all of the cranks are turned simultaneously to turn the cranks to any desired angle. All of the cranks may be turned up as in the frame in the upper half of the mattress in Fig. 2, or be turned nearly horizontal as in Fig. 3 and in the lower half of the mattress shown in Fig. 2, or to any angle desired. It is an important feature of the invention that the cranks in one frame on one Side of the centerline of a double-Width mattress may be at a different angle from the cranks in the frame on the other side of the mattress, so that the hardness of each side of the mattress is independently adjustable.

The upper and lower portions of each auxiliary spring are tied to the crank by the straps or other inexpansible members 30. The ends of stiff crossed wires 3l and 32. grip coils of the auxiliary spring near its top and bottom, preferably, one turn in from the top and bottom. This is the arrangement shown in the drawings. Figure 3 shows the crank 25 in a relatively horizontal position and the straps hold both the top and bottom halves of the auxiliary spring 5 under slight tension. When the crank is turned up, as in Figs. 2 and 4, the lower coils of the auxiliary spring are compressed, and there is no tension on the upper coils which then extend to the plane of the top turn of the spring 3.

The strap 30, which may be of steel or the like, is provided with a noose 3S which loosely encircles the crank. When the crank is turned up this noose is loose around the crank, as best shown in Fig. 4. With the crank in this position the top of the auxiliary spring is substantially level with the top of the usual spring and any pressure applied to the top of the mattress is resisted by the auxiliary spring, the bottom strap 30 holding the lower coils of the auxiliary spring compressed against the bottom of the crank shaft 6.

If the mattress is turned over without altering the position of the cranks, the usual springs 3 will extend above the auxiliary spring and the top turn of the auxiliary spring will be located a substantial distance from the top surface of the mattress. This is readily understood by considering Fig. 2, where the bottom coil 0f the auxiliary spring is spaced a considerable distance from the bottom of the mattress but will be in the reverse position when the mattress is reversed. Any pressure applied to the mattress is at irst resisted solely by the coil springs 3, and it is not until considerable pressure has been applied before the auxiliary springs 5 are contacted.

When the crank is turned toward the horizontal position, as illustrated in Fig. 3, there is some tension on both the upper and lower portions of the auxiliary spring. Anyone resting on the mattress will move the usual coil spring 3 only a short distance before the auxiliary spring gives any support. However, the distance which the top of the usual spring must be compressed before the auxiliary spring is brought into play is less than when the crank is turned down (which is the position illustrated by inverting Fig. 2). The hardness of. a mattress with the crank in this position is intermediate between the greater hardness when the crank is turned up, and the soft condition of the mattress when the crank is turned down. By altering the position of the cranks it is possible to locate the top coil of the auxiliary spring closer to or farther from the top surface of the mattress and thus make the mattress of a desired hardness.

In Fig. 1, the cranks in the lower half of the mattress are turned to the horizontal position, and those in the upper half are turned up (Fig. 2). This makes the upper half of the mattress hard, and the other half of intermediate hardness. The respective cranks may be turned to produce any desired hardness, and held in this position by the ratchets 23, or other suitable means.

Each frame 7 is supported by the conventional coil springs 3. The shaft 6 (Fig. 2) is fastened by the clips 40 to the turns of the auxiliary spring which are adjacent its top and bottom surfaces. These shafts are supported on the coils 3 (Fig. 2) and these in turn support the auxiliary springs. As pressure is applied to the top of the mattress the conventional coil springs 3 are compressed throughout their lengths. This of course lowers the position from which the auxiliary springs are supported. Unless the top of the auxiliary spring 5 is level with the top of the conventional spring 3, the auxiliary spring is lowered as the conventional spring is compressed, but the upper portion of the auxiliary spring is not simultaneously compressed. lt is not until the conventional spring has been compressed to a certain extent that the weight applied to the top of the mattress is shared by the auxiliary springs and then these in turn are compressed. The whole weight supplied to the mattress is supported by the conventional springs 3, their top portions supporting only part of the weight and sharing this with the portion of the Weight supported by the auxiliary springs. By adjusting the nearness of the top coil of the auxiliary springs to the top of the mattress, the portion of the weight supported by the auxiliary springs is varied. The auxiliary springs are stiifer than the conventional springs and harden the mattress, the amount of the hardness imparted depending upon the location of the tops of the auxiliary springs with respect to the surface of the mattress.

The particular embodiment disclosed may be varied without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The drawings show the conventional springs 3 united to the adjacent springs 3, at the top and bottom, by the usual clips 45. Along the centerline of the mattress longer clips may be required where the conventional springs are spaced somewhat to accommodate the sides of the frame 7. Although Fig. 1 shows such spacing, no increase in the spacing will be required if the frames are nested between the turns of the springs.

The chain 46 connects the sprockets 15 on the several crank shafts so that they all turn together. Any suitable means, such as idlers, etc. may be provided for supporting the bottom length of the chain to maintain it in contact with the bottoms of the sprockets. One or both of the end crank shafts may be made adjustable longitudinally of the mattress so that the chain may be tightened or loosened, as required. The knobs 20 may be located in the middle or at any place along the sides of the mattress. Although chains are shown on only one edge of the frame, they may be used on both edges if for any reason this proves desirable, and then of course there will be sprockets attached to each end of each crank. The chains may be located outside of the frames, if preferred, and may be replaced by any equivalent means. Instead of steel straps 30, cables or any other inextensible means may be used to hold the ends of the auxiliary springs in the desired relation to the cranks. Instead of stiff wires 31 and 32 to support the straps 30, chains or the like may be employed. Although generally coil springs will be used as the auxiliary springs other auxiliary spring means may be employed.

granata From the foregoing, it is obviouslliofw' theM auxiliary springsI may be installed-l and operatedin-v Morrisy chairs, Pullman seats and berths, box springs; etc.

WhatIclaimis: y Y" 1-. A furniture spring unit which includes in addition to the conventionalr spring means, auxiliary spring means supported by the usualspringmeans vand means for vertically adjusting the topof onel of' said spring means with respect to the top of the other.k Y

2. A furniture spring unit which includes inl addition to conventional coil' springs'whic'h give resilience to the unit, an auxiliary spring which is stiffer than said springs, and means for moving one end of said auxiliary spring to and from one surface of the unit.

3. A furniture spring unit with conventional coil springs distributed substantially uniformly throughout an area of the unit to give resilience thereto, and associated with at least one of said conventional coil springs an auxiliary coil spring concentric therewith, the auxiliary spring being stiffer than said conventional coil spring, and means fastened to the auxiliary spring for moving said auxiliary spring axially with respect to said conventional coil spring.

4. A furniture spring unit with conventional coil springs distributed substantially uniformly throughout an area of the unit to give resilience thereto, auxiliary coil springs each concentric with a plurality of said conventional coil springs and supported thereby, and means for moving said supported portion of the auxiliary spring axially relatively with respect to the portion of the conventional coil spring which supports it.

5. A furniture spring unit which includes conventional coil springs substantially uniformly distributed over an area of the unit to give resilience thereto, auxiliary coil springs concentric with each of a plurality of said conventional coil springs, a frame which supports the auxiliary coil springs and is supported by said conventional coil springs, and means for raising and lowerng with respect to the frame the supported portions of the respec' tive auxiliary coil springs.

6. An innerspring mattress which includes in addition to conventional coil springs which give resilience to the mattress, auxiliary spring means on each side of the longitudinal centerline of the mattress, and independent means on both sides of the mattress for moving to and from one surface of the mattress one end of the auxiliary spring located on that side of the mattress.

7. An innerspring mattress in which conventional coil springs are substantially uniformly distributed to give resilience thereto, on leach side of the longitudinal center of the mattress a frame supported by the conventional coil springs in that half of the mattress, auxiliary coil springs concentric with the conventional coil springs and supported by the respective frames, and means in each frame independent of the means in the other frame for moving the point of support of the auxiliary springs axially with respect to the frame.

8. A furniture spring unit with conventional coil springs distributed substantially uniformly throughout the area thereof to give resilience thereto, auxiliary coil springs concentric with said conventional coil springs, a frame with crank shafts therein, there being a crank at each of the auxiliary springs, upper and lower portions of each auxiliary spring connected to its crank by inextensible means, each auxiliary spring being fastened to its crank shaft, and means for rotating all of the cranks simultaneously.

9. An innerspring mattress with conventional coil springs distributed substantially uniformly throughout the area thereof to give resilience thereto, on each side of the longitudinal center of the mattress a frame, crank shafts in the frame, all of the crank shafts in each frame being parallel and being connected to be rotated simultaneously, the cranks of the shafts being located at the axes of the springs, the shafts being supported by the springs, vauxiliary' coil springs concentric with a pluralityA of the aforementioned' coil' springs, with upper and lower portions of each connected to the cranks and with the auxiliary coil springs fastened to the shaftsA on both sides of their respective cranks, allV of the cranks in each frame being parallel to all of the other cranks in that frame at all times.

l0. Two concentric coil springs, one stifIer than the other, the stiffer spring being supported by the shaft of a crank shaft which is supported by the softer coil, inextensible means connecting upper and lower portions of the stiffer coil to the crank whereby the upper and lower portions of the stiifer spring move relatively to the upper and lower portions of the softer spring as the crank shaft is rotated.

1l. A plurality of coil springs for mattresses and fur niture having in combination therewith means for simultaneously drawing together only a portion of each of the coils of the several springs whereby the overall length of each of the springs is reduced, and means for operating the aforesaid means whereby said portion of the coils of the plurality of springs is drawn together.

l2. A coil spring for mattresses and furniture having in combination therewith a shaft with an olset, the straight portion of the shaft and the offset both being connected with the spring at diiferent positions lengthwise thereof, and means for rotating the shaft, whereby when the shaft is rotated the effective length of the spring is altered.

13. A spring unit for mattresses and furniture comprising a plurality of coiled springs arranged in rows, shafts extending lengthwise of at least some of said rows, said shafts having offset portions, means connecting said oifset portions with the springs and adapted to vary the effective stiffness of said springs when the position of the offset portions is changed by turning said shafts, and means for turning the shafts.

d4. A spring unit for mattresses and furniture comprising a plurality of coiled springs arranged in a row, a shaft extending the length of the row and connected to the springs, said shaft having offset portions, the Oifset portions being connected to the springs to which the shaft is connected as aforesaid and at a point lengthwise of the spring away from said connection, and means for turning the shaft.

l5. An inner spring mattress in which coil springs are substantially uniformly distributed in rows to give resilience thereto, on each side of the longitudinal center of the mattress shafts with offsets therein extending lengthwise of at least some of the rows of springs, which shafts do not extend beyond said longitudinal center, an offset and a straight portion of each shaft being connected to places spaced lengthwise of certain of the in dividual springs in the respective rows, and means for simultaneously turning all of the shafts on each side of said longitudinal center independently of the shafts on the other side of the longitudinal center.

16. An inner spring mattress in which coil springs are substantially uniformly distributed in rows to give resilience thereto, on each side of the longitudinal center of the mattress shafts extending lengthwise of at least some of the rows of springs which shafts do not extend beyond said longitudinal center, means associated with each shaft and at least certain of the springs adjacent thereto for altering the spacing of only a portion of the coils thereof, said means being operable by a certain movement of the shaft, and means on each side of said longitudinal center for imparting such movement to all of the shafts on the respective sides of the center.

17. An inner spring mattress in which coil springs are substantially uniformly distributed to give resilience thereto, on each side of the longitudinal center of the mattress means which do not extend beyond the longitudi nal center and are connected with at least some of the springs on that side of the center, said connections being with diierent coils of said springs the distance between which is only a fraction of the length of a spring, and means foraltering the distance between these coils, and means for simultaneously operating all of said means on each side of the center for simultaneously altering the distances between said coils on all of said springs on the respective sides of the center.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 871,589 Hitchcock Nov. 19, 1907 8 Smith June 30, King Feb. 16, yFischmann July 25, Hunt Junel 15, Mattison May6, Gottschalk Apr. 29, Reese Mar. 10,

FOREIGN PATENTS France Jan. 23, Great 'Britain May 16, 

